Purchase new 433Mhz remote control key

[OldsCool]

You can only put the oem remote electronics board in the new key housing (which is not a bad idea). Housing and web (blade) are molded together, cannot be exchanged. So you will have to live with a new non-Oem housing.
Any remote from E36/E46 with 433MHz can be teached-in to the Z3 with the standard procedure and vice versa. I verified this on my Z3s and E46 already.

BR
Steffen

[Miky2147]

You can only put the oem remote electronics board in the new key housing (which is not a bad idea). Housing and web (blade) are molded together, cannot be exchanged. So you will have to live with a new non-Oem housing.
Any remote from E36/E46 with 433MHz can be teached-in to the Z3 with the standard procedure and vice versa. I verified this on my Z3s and E46 already.

BR
Steffen

Considering that you are an expert user, I could send you the 3 keys (the replica key purchased on eBay, the used original key of an E36 from which to extract the oem remote electronics board, a new generic original BMW key from which to extract the transponder) to build a single key?
I would also like to ask you if it is also possible to extract the original buttons from the original e36 remote control key and transfer them to the replica? Considering that on the replica the button feedback is horrible.
Thank you

[OldsCool]

No Problem. But if you don't have "two left hands" as we say in Germany , it's no issue to open the keys. The original normal key simply pops open with a blade inserted between housing and web, the remote key has two screws, so no destructive measures needed. I'll get some pictures for you later.

Remarks:
1) The "new generic oem key" needs to be ordered at BMW specifically for your vehicle. Otherwise the transponder is meaningless. So "generic" is the wrong term, just to be clear. Guess you mean "non-remote". Just to be sure we're on the same page.

2) The button-part can be changed, but is half molded into the housing on the ebay key. It is some effort to remove it with a sharp blade without damaging the structure. Check the ebay key first. Well adjusted, it is not too bad. Adjusted means, the electronics inside must be shimmed (put something underneath, e.g. pieces of soft, self-sticking window seal) to get the electric buttons closer to the housing buttons, so that a light push is sufficient. With no shimming the buttons have to be pressed quite strong. So you can vary and test until you are fine. When the buttons are too sensitive, the car will lock and unlock permanently with the key in your pocket

3) In any case, I would not reuse the worn-out buttons of the old key. You can buy new buttons on ebay which are of soft rubber. Again, they are not 100% oem, but close. Instead of the light symbol, they have a trunk symbol. And as they are replacements, they are not partially molded with the housing any more, but a bit more "loose" at the borders. It's not a complete sealing any more.
I will take pictures, since I have both modified and as-is ebay keys.

Whatever option you chose, it will not be 100% oem, but in my opinion an acceptable solution given the BMW remotes are no more available.

Let me know any further questions. And you can send me all the stuff if you want. Just be aware that I do it for free, thus no guarantee, always danger of scratches when removing the ebay key buttons part etc...

Best regards,

Steffen

[Miky2147]

Here's a picture:

Just to be sure: so is this the cheapest key I can buy in BMW? What is the spare part number? Or are there even cheaper keys than this one? Considering that I only need the key to open it and get the transponder. Thank you

[OldsCool]

It's not about the cheapest key, but the only one which might be still available. You need to check with your dealer. If no key at all is available, the only option is to reprogram the Immobilizer/EWS with a blank transponder (delivered with the ebay key).

Best regards,
Steffen

[Miky2147]

Ok, can you also tell me if it is difficult to remove the OEM remote electronics board from the original housing? Is it glued or something? Or can the entire board be easily removed without effort to place it in the replica housing? Thank you

[OldsCool]

Just two screws, like battery change. The Z3 keys are very dismantle-friendly

Here are the pictures:

Remove Cover of the screws:

Remove Screws with a small Phillips-driver and take off cover and electronics (it's the ebay version in the picture). Transponder is in lower right corner of the key housing (left), fixed with a drop of instant glue just not to move around:

Some spacing material to get the electronics close and firm towards the buttons. I used double-sided sticky tape out of thin foam and different number of layers to achieve the best necessary button push force so that it can be pressed easily, but doesn't lock/unlock the car on the lightest touch:

Comparison between ebay key as is (left, more like hard plastics buttons) and modified ebay key with spare buttons mat also from ebay (right, more like flexible rubber buttons), meant for the OEM key.

Best regards,

Steffen

[Miky2147]

Thank you for the photos and detailed description

[OldsCool]

Here is a video showing how a key is milled based on the code (which can be decoded by a picture of the original key easily):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knbNWazSPTs

Probably exactly how the ebay sellers do it.

BR

Steffen

[Miky2147]

Perfect! Today I went to the BMW workshop and ordered the key from which I will extract the transponder. I told him that I wanted the one corresponding to the code 51218205443. It only cost me 50 euros, I thought the price was higher! It will arrive in about 7 days. I hope I won't have any problems.